Germany considers keeping two nuclear reactors in reserve as winter energy cushion
Germany’s federal government announced on Monday that two of its three nuclear power plants would be kept in reserve, a move designed to provide a backstop should Germany face an energy shortfall when winter demand peaks. The plan would allow authorities to temporarily suspend operation of these facilities if the electricity grid comes under strain, with the goal of avoiding any disruption to supply while keeping the option to close the plants definitively under a controlled framework.
In a press statement delivered by email, Economy Minister Robert Habeck, a leading figure from the Green Party, underscored the government’s readiness to act decisively if circumstances require it. He affirmed the ongoing commitment to phase out nuclear energy, even as the reserve setup remains in place as a precaution. The message conveyed a careful balance between security of supply and the long-term strategic shift away from nuclear power that the coalition government has pursued since taking office.
The ruling coalition has faced significant political pressure, given the sharp uptick in energy costs linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Critics have urged delaying or reversing nuclear plant closures to cushion households and industries from price volatility, arguing that a gradual, well-managed transition would reduce risk to the energy system. The new reserve plan is framed as a temporary measure, designed to be deployed only if gas supplies or electricity demand present a real risk to grid stability during the coldest months.
In the broader context, Germany has also confronted a reduction in natural gas flows from the Nord Stream I pipeline, a facility operated by the Russian state company Gazprom, which has intensified concerns about energy security. The government has emphasized that the reserve strategy is part of a larger effort to diversify energy sources, accelerate energy efficiency, and accelerate the uptake of renewable power generation.
Current statistics show that nuclear energy contributes a modest slice of Germany’s electricity mix, accounting for roughly 6 percent of production in the most recent period. In the first quarter, coal remained a major supplier, while natural gas accounted for a sizable share. Renewables, including wind and solar, continued to expand their role, providing close to half of total electricity generation in recent months. These figures reflect the ongoing transition from nuclear and fossil fuels toward a cleaner, more resilient energy system, a process that remains central to Germany’s climate and energy objectives.
Public sentiment appears to lean toward keeping the nuclear option in reserve rather than moving to a rapid, abrupt shutdown. Recent polling indicates broad support for postponing the closure, with a substantial portion of the population viewing a careful, staged approach as prudent. The government and its coalition partners have acknowledged that maintaining flexibility during a volatile energy market will be essential to protecting consumers and businesses while staying on track with long-term decarbonization goals.